WWT Slimbridge sightings 21 February 2006

21 February 2006 A bitterly cold wind had begun to have an impact on the birds as things begin to dry out a little. 1 Spotted Redshank, 12 Redshank, 10 Ruff, 1 Little Stint, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Golden Plover, 700 Dunlin and 2500 Lapwing were feeding on the Tack Piece. 200 Bewick's Swan, 1500 Wigeon and 400+ Pintail were the pick of the commoner wildfowl, the Ferruginous x hybrid was in the Rushy. The E.White-fronted Geese were distantly viewable on the Warth (Lower Dumbles) with a female Peregrine near the Holden Tower. A large gull passage is currently underway today and yesterday.

The highlight of the day was discovering two apparent Eastern Greylag Geese (Anser rubrirostris). They were present on the Tack Piece from 0955 to 1045 at least. Look out for very large, heavily built birds with bright pink (bubblegum) legs and long, heavy pinkish bills. They have a very pale overall plumage with very broad edges to all feathers which exaggerates the paleness. They are an adult pair, the male has two small spots on the vent. The more usual Western Greylags (Anser anser) were also present for direct comparison. I will hopefully add some pictures to the gallery of these excellent birds.